🚕 Ziggy’s Roman Café Opens Family-Friendly Italian Spot in DUMBO

Good Morning NY!

This week, NYC’s food scene is serving up a mix of luxury, family-friendly fun, and elevated dining experiences.

From an ultra-premium grocery store making its East Coast debut to Roman-inspired Italian in DUMBO with a kid-friendly twist, there’s something for every palate.

Weekday lunches are back in style, complete with martinis and prix fixe menus across Midtown, the Financial District, and Flatiron.

And for interactive dining enthusiasts, a Thai moo krata experience is bringing communal cooking with premium ingredients to the Upper West Side.

This edition highlights new ways to shop, sip, and savor across the city—whether you’re in the mood for luxury, nostalgia, or hands-on culinary fun.

Erewhon Brings Luxe Grocery Experience to NYC

Erewhon, the high-end Los Angeles grocery chain, is opening its first New York City location this fall.

Known for its ultra-premium products, the store has gained a reputation for catering to a health-conscious and celebrity clientele.

Membership at Erewhon comes at a steep price, reportedly $43,000 annually for access to its exclusive offerings.

The NYC location promises the same curated selection of organic produce, artisanal goods, and specialty wellness items that have made the brand famous in LA.

Shoppers can expect a blend of convenience and luxury, with grab-and-go meals, a juice bar, and wellness-focused products throughout the store.

Erewhon aims to transform grocery shopping into a premium lifestyle experience for New Yorkers willing to pay for exclusivity.

The opening marks a major step in the brand’s expansion beyond the West Coast, bringing its distinctive model to the East Coast.

Ziggy’s Roman Café Brings Family-Friendly Italian Dining to DUMBO

A new addition is coming to DUMBO as Ziggy’s Roman Café prepares to open its doors next month at 15 Main Street.

The Italian eatery is the latest venture from Igor Hadzismajlovic, co-founder of the famed cocktail bar Employees Only, alongside his wife Helen Zhang and Edo Ademovic.

Named after the couple’s younger child, Ziggy’s Roman Café will combine authentic Roman flavors with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

The 65-seat restaurant will feature a mezzanine play area designed for kids, making it a space where both parents and children can relax and enjoy.

The menu, developed by former Marta executive chef John Poiarkoff, highlights Roman classics like fried gnocchi and eggplant parmigiana, while pizza will be led by Federico Crociani.

Cocktails, curated by Employees Only co-founder Jason Kosmas, will add a refined edge with martinis and inventive originals.

NYC’s Lunch Comeback—With Martinis on the Menu

Weekday lunches in New York are making a stylish return this fall.

The Dynamo Room in Midtown is bringing back retro power-lunch vibes with a prix fixe express menu starting at $30.95.

Diners can enjoy raw-bar platters, entrée salads, and even lunchtime martinis served by the glass or as shot-sized pours.

In the Financial District, Maison Passerelle is offering both à la carte and a three-course prix fixe from Chef Gregory Gourdet.

Highlights include green papaya salad, duck confit curry, and other globally inspired plates.

Over in Flatiron, La Tête d’Or begins weekday lunch on September 10 with French-inspired offerings.

The menu features steak tartare, green gazpacho, and a rotating trolley cut of the week.

With prix fixe options and elegant dishes across the city, New Yorkers can once again indulge in the art of the long lunch.

NYC Launches Its First Outdoor Dining Week

New York City is rolling out its first-ever Outdoor Dining Week from September 5 to 12.

The event will spotlight curbside dining at nearly three dozen restaurants across all five boroughs.

It is organized by advocacy group OpenPlans in partnership with Untapped New York.

Participating spots are offering unique deals, including two-for-one drinks at The Queensboro in Queens and $3 beverages at Someday Bar in Brooklyn.

Other specials include 10% off at The Barn Coffee Shop in Long Island City and 15% off at Postmark Café in Park Slope.

The initiative aims to celebrate the city’s outdoor dining culture, which became essential during the pandemic.

Restaurant owners also hope the week will push for fewer restrictions and more support for al fresco dining.

It’s a chance to enjoy New York’s vibrant street dining scene before the fall chill sets in.

Unglo Brings Moo Krata Dining to the Upper West Side

A new Thai dining experience is landing on the Upper West Side this September.

Unglo is introducing Manhattan to moo krata, a blend of barbecue and hot pot that is popular in Thailand.

The restaurant, opening September 5 at 35 West 64th Street, combines communal cooking with upscale design and premium ingredients.

Each table is equipped with a custom copper grill pan set into granite, with Mount Fuji volcanic stones and advanced ventilation for a polished, interactive feel.

Diners can enjoy Pat LaFrieda’s wagyu and dry-aged cuts through set menus priced from $48 to $88 per person.

The space, designed by co-founder Chidensee Watthanawongwat, features a Dune-inspired aesthetic of earthy tones and curved lines.

Unglo comes from the team behind Soothr, Sappe, and Chalong, aiming to elevate Thai hospitality for New Yorkers.

Thanks

Thanks for reading NYC Bites today! If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves food and NYC.

Want to advertise in our newsletter? Fill out this form here and we will be in touch shortly!

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign-up to get it.

Have a question or need support? Contact us.